Thursday 17 July 2025

Psalm 7:1-11

Background
Today's reading starts "Then Peter began to speak to them" which begs the question what has just happened, and to whom is Peter speaking?

In yesterday’s reading Peter had been in Joppa. While still there, he had had a vision which had begun to show him that the good news of Jesus was not just for the Jewish people but for all nations. It may be hard for us to imagine how difficult this would have been for Peter to accept. Despite Jesus’ openness to Gentiles (non-Jews) and Luke’s report that when Jesus ascended to heaven he told his disciples to be witnesses "in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8), Peter still struggles and has much to learn.

Luke’s purpose in writing the Acts of the Apostles, which is sometimes described as the Acts of the Holy Spirit, is to show how the good news of Jesus came to be preached way beyond the initial core group, not just geographically but also in terms of nation and ethnicity. Luke had already written of an Ethiopian eunuch being transformed through Philip’s witness and the Holy Spirit (see Monday's reflection on Acts 8:26-40).

This would have been shocking enough to many traditionalists among the first disciples. However, Peter, seen as the leader of the apostles, received a revelation of something even more challenging, which would continue to be a matter of debate in the Early Church – that Gentiles too could become disciples of Jesus. Following his vision, Peter was led to go to the house of Cornelius, a Roman soldier, who ‘feared God’ but was a Gentile. (Acts 10:1-33)

When Peter heard how Cornelius had been commanded by an angel to send to Joppa for him (Acts 10:31-32) Peter addressed the assembled household, which is our reading today, saying that "God has no partiality." (v. 34) It appears that they had already heard news of Jesus’ teaching and ministry, but Peter gave them his eyewitness account and showed how Jesus fulfilled the words of Jewish scripture. It took a vision, and recognition of Cornelius’ sincere searching and miraculous angelic visitation, to bring Peter to understand that God shows no partiality.

To Ponder:

• Is God challenging you to rethink any aspect of your faith or Christian practice?
• Or are you still searching, like Cornelius, for full understanding of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus?

Prayer
Wherever we are in our journey with God, may the Holy Spirit act in our lives to challenge us when we are hesitant, and affirm us when we are ready to take a leap of faith. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Pamela Cram
Pam worked in several circuits and ecumenical posts in Wales before retiring in the Swansea Valley, where she is involved in a non-denominational community project; a church partnership with a Welsh independent church; and action for Fairtrade.